Albuquerque, New Mexico -- An Army unit from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, that provides maintenance for Special Operations Forces will be recognized as one of the top defense maintenance programs in a ceremony on December 6, 2016 at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.Secretary of Defense, Ashton B. Carter, announced that the Army, Forward Support Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), will receive the 2016 Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award for Field-level (Small Category). Every year, the program recognizes the Department of Defense's exceptional military maintenance units in three categories: field-level; depot-level; and in the maintenance training, and advise and assistance of foreign security forces.The unit is being recognized for its support in field-level maintenance, which provided multi-functional self-sustainment capabilities to support internal needs for fuel, ammunition, maintenance, and supplies. The unit's exceptional shop stock management and commitment to maintenance excellence led to unparalleled fleet readiness.The unit's maintenance program demonstrates the originality and flexibility of Special Operations Forces support to Soldiers. Their commitment to technical excellence has positioned them as one of the best field-level maintenance units in the Department of Defense.For more information on the 2016 Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium please visit: www.sae.org/dod.